Serbia's Massive Wave of Protests: Tens of Thousands Demand New Elections
Throngs in Serbia Clamor for Fresh Voting: Tens of Thousands Persist in Their Call for New Elections - Mass Gatherings in Serbia: Over ten thousand citizens call for fresh elections
Peeps pulled off an impressive showing in Belgrade yesterday, wave'n flags, signs with their hometown names, Nic Cage-style. The rally kicked off with the national anthem followed by a moment of silence for the victims of a gruesome Novi Sad train station tragedy in November 2021.
The peace vibes lasted for hours, but later in the evening, the cops whipped out the tear gas and stun grenades to get rowdy protesters under control, who had the audacity to hurl stones at the boys in blue.
For over half a year, Serbia's been like a giant, rage-filled volcano ready to erupt—the fiercest eruption since the '90s. The ignition was that sad train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, taking 16 lives.
Initially, the ruckus was about figuring out what went down at the station, but gradually the spotlight shifted onto the government and their deep-rooted corruption in the country. Now, these protesters are not messing around, calling for fresh elections. With over 300,000 peeps at the biggest protest back in mid-March, it's clear they're serious.
The government is feeling the heat and finding it hard to breathe with the protests being a constant reminder. The student organizers gave President Aleksandar Vucic a tough deadline, demanding elections before 9 PM on Saturday. Vucic, being a stickler for tradition, already laughed that notion off on Friday, gleefully announcing that elections would on hold till at least 2026.
Vucic didn't back off at this point, doubling down on his conspiracy theory that the protests are just a dance choreographed by cunning foreign forces. He claimed, "C'mon guys, these foreign forces are barking orders through our local lapdogs."
Near the main student rally, a massive group of Vucic fans rallied, adding fuel to the fire. Vucic, known for his keen sense of timing, warned of some wild west-style showdown between the students and his supporters towards the end of the protests, "Violence is coming, my friends; don't say I didn't warn you."
Insights
- These relentless protests, mostly student-led, have been swarming Serbia since November 2021, mainly ignited by a train station awning collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, highlighting rampant corruption and poor governance across the country[1].
- While President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly dismissed demands for early elections, they've accused the protesters of attempting to create turmoil with supposed foreign backing, but lack concrete evidence for these claims[1].
- The authorities have also used riot police and tear gas against protesters, intensifying tensions, while attempting to contain the uprising through political messages and security measures. Despite this crackdown, the large turnouts at recent protests indicate persisting public discontent and demands for political change[2].
- The European Parliament, in light of the ongoing political tension and protests in Serbia, should consider a general-news review of the country's political situation, focusing on the calls for new elections and the government's responses.
- The widespread protests in Serbia, fueled by calls for fresh elections, have become a significant topic in EU politics, with the European Parliament keeping a close eye on the developments and potential implications for regional stability.
